Get a trainee driving instructor licence

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Options when you apply for a trainee licence

You have 2 options to choose from when you apply for a trainee licence. You must either:

  • be supervised for 20% of all lessons you give while you have your trainee licence
  • do at least 20 hours of extra training while you have your trainee licence

You can only choose one option and you cannot change to the other after you’ve made your decision.

Talk to your sponsoring approved driving instructor (ADI) or training organisation about which option is best for you.

Option 1 - supervision of lessons

In this option you have to be supervised by your sponsoring ADI for 20% of all the lessons you give.

You must keep a record of the number of hours:

  • you give lessons
  • you are supervised

The ADI 21S supervision record form must be signed by both you and your ADI. You must send it to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) when your trainee licence runs out. You can do this by email.

Approved Driving Instructor Registrar
[email protected]

Option 2 - extra training

In this option, you have to do at least 20 hours of extra training in the topics in the training programme.

After you get your training licence, you must complete the training within the next 3 months and before you book the ADI part 3 test.

At least 25% of the training must be practical in-car training.

The training must be recorded on the instructor training declaration form.​

You must send the form to DVSA as soon as you’ve completed your training. If you do not send the form, DVSA can take your trainee licence away. You can do this by email.

Approved Driving Instructor Registrar
[email protected]

If you fail the ADI part 3 test or you do not book it in time

If you fail the test, you must do 5 hours of extra training before your next attempt. You have 3 attempts to pass the test.

If you do not book the test within 3 months of getting your licence, you must take 5 hours of extra training before you book the test.

Each time you do 5 hours of extra training, record it on a new instructor training declaration form.

If you do not send the form, DVSA can take your trainee licence away.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Become a car driving instructor: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you can become an instructor

    1. Check if the role is right for you on the Safe Driving for Life website
    2. Check you're eligible to become a driving instructor
    3. Find out about the skills and knowledge you need

  2. Step 2 Apply to become a driving instructor

    You must get a new Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to start your application, even if you already have one.

    1. Get a DBS check £8.22

    You need to agree to the responsibilities set out in the 'ADI register guide' before you apply.

    1. Read about driving instructor responsibilities
    1. Start your application

  3. Step 3 Get a trainer

    Get a registered trainer to help you prepare for the 3 qualifying tests.

    1. Find driving instructor training courses

  4. Step 4 Take the theory test (ADI part 1)

    1. Revise and practise for your test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a theory test centre
    4. Book your test £81

    Once you've passed the theory test, you must pass the other parts of the test within 2 years or you'll have to start the whole process again.

  5. Step 5 Take the driving ability test (ADI part 2)

    1. What happens during the test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a driving test centre
    4. Book your test £111

  6. Step 6 Get practice teaching

    If you’ve passed ADI part 2 you have the option to apply for a 6 month trainee licence to get experience teaching students.

    1. Find out about trainee instructor licences
    2. Apply for a trainee instructor licence £140

  7. Step 7 Take the instructional ability test (ADI part 3)

    1. What happens during the test
    2. What you need for your test
    3. Find a driving test centre
    4. Book your test £111

  8. Step 8 Register and start working as an instructor

    Once you've passed the tests you must register within 12 months.

    1. Register for your first ADI certificate £300

    When you have your certificate you can start charging for lessons. You can either:

    You'll have at least one standards check every 4 years. You also need to renew your registration and get a new DBS check every 4 years.

    1. Find out about ADI standards checks
    2. Renew your registration £300
    3. Improve your skills as an instructor